Geology MSci (Hons)

Year 1

Compulsory modules

The first year provides you with a broad training in topics across the subject, through several compulsory modules. We don’t assume any prior knowledge; the chemistry, physics and maths that you require is taught in the context of individual modules, and applied to the problems that you’re investigating. Residential trips to Northern Ireland and South West Wales will train you in key skills in geological observation, data recording and interpretation.

• Earth Systems
• Structural Geology
• Earth History and Life
• Minerals and Magmatism
• Geoscience Project
• Introductory Field and Research Skills
• SW Wales Field Course

Compulsory modules

The Year 2 content builds on the first year, covering a range of specialised geological topics. This content is compulsory, and ensures that your degree meets the accreditation requirements. The Year 2 field courses take you to North West Scotland, where you will focus on geological mapping skills, and to Dorset and Cornwall, where you will cover a wide range of exercises, from palaeontology to structural geology.

• Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
• Sedimentology
• Resources & Exploration
• Field Skills and Project Planning for Geological Field Research
• Assynt Geological Mapping Course

Optional modules:

• Continental Deformation
• Micropalaeontology and Palaeoenvironments
• Geological Natural Hazards
• Hydrogeology
• Oceans Through Time

Compulsory modules

Compulsory modules in Year 3 include your dissertation – a mapping project in an area of your choice, where you will undertake fieldwork the previous summer – and an additional field-based module that will introduce a variety of new geological environments and rock types.

• Geological Field Research Project

Select one of the following field based modules:

• Sustainable Resource Geology
• Sedimentary Basin Analysis
• Volcanology

Optional modules

You can specialise by choosing three modules from a wide variety of options, ranging from more applied and resource-based topics through to environmental and palaeontological modules. Example optional modules may include:

• Tectonic and Magmatic Processes
• Palaeoclimates
• Remote Sensing of the Cryosphere
• Evolution of Vertebrates
• Petroleum Geoscience
• Evolutionary Palaeobiology
• Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
• Climate Change in the Earth System

Compulsory modules

The compulsory Year 4 modules include your major research project – in a topic that you will have devised with an academic – and a skills-based field module.

• Advanced Project

Select one of the following field based modules:

• Sustainable Resource Geology
• Sedimentary Basin Analysis
• Volcanology

Optional modules

You also take two optional modules (except those taken in Year 3). Example optional modules may include:

• Tectonic and Magmatic Processes
• Palaeoclimates
• Evolution of Vertebrates
• Petroleum Geoscience
• Evolutionary Palaeobiology
• Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
• Inorganic Chemistry and Groundwater Borehole Design, Construction and Maintenance
  
• Groundwater Organic Contaminant Pollution and Remediation
• Professional Placements for Earth Scientists

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2020. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules after that date; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.